Current Pending Sector Count/ Uncorrectable sector count warnnings

AnEwG · Apr 8, 2014

Hi I have just noticed today using HWiNFO then Crystaldiskinfo that my hard drive S.M.A.R.T statues give these two warnnings.:
[C5] Current Pending Sector Count: 100/Always OK, Worst: 100 (Data = 8)
[C6] Off-Line Uncorrectable Sector Count: 100/Always OK, Worst: 100 (Data = 8)
I tried to do disk check and after it finished the PC was running but the monitor wouldn't light up and I had to do a hard reset for my system. Should I be concerned with that and what is the solution for this problem?

theonerm2 · Apr 8, 2014

Buy a new hard drive and try not to use that one much in order protect your files.

AnEwG · Apr 8, 2014

That is a new hard drive, I have only had it for like 6 months.

theonerm2 · Apr 8, 2014

AnEwG :

Sometimes you get a bad one and other times you get one that lasts 10+ years. Use that warranty.

AnEwG · Apr 8, 2014

The RMA will be a pain at the moment, for one thing I only have another 8 years old 160 GB failing disc that won't do for backing up my Data, and for another there are few scratches on the sides on the hard drive from CM Elite 311 stupid HDD cage. that is why I wanted to make sure whether is that something that I should worry about or not, especially since windows shows a healthy statues for the drive. Also I read somewhere that S.M.A.R.T data is unreliable based on the first hand experience of someone who had a perfectly healthy drive -according to smart- die on him, while a drive that showed an error run for four years after the error was discovered. I guess I'll just have to wait until I have another drive and transfer my Data to the new drive, format the this one and see if it still shows there and if it does, try to RMA it.

popatim · Apr 8, 2014

Make sure you backup important files to dvd's then. If you dont have any check Staples; my store sells shrink wrapped 5 packs for $2.50.

You can have Seagate or WD pre-ship you a drive if you have room on your credit card for the cost of a new drive. They do not take the $, merely reserve it. If you dont return the old drive within a month then they take it.
This will give you time to clone the old drive to the new one.

theonerm2 · Apr 8, 2014

popatim :

I recommend an external hard drive for backup purposes. They are pretty cheap.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822706010 I have my important files in 3 locations at once.

AnEwG · Apr 9, 2014

I used Seatools and the drive failed the long generic test. I guess I'll start backing up my data now!
@popatim I don't live in the US so unfortunately your second suggestion is not possible. The retailer I bought the HDD from will probably give me some troubles as well, but I guess I don't have a choice but to go with the RMA anyway. Thank you both for your suggestions.

theonerm2 · Apr 9, 2014

AnEwG :

You're supposed to backup your data on a regular basis... Not very many people do it though.

AnEwG · Apr 9, 2014

The Seagate Backup Plus Portable seems like a good external HDD, the only problem at the moment that I will still need a HDD to install my OS while the older HDD is on RMA (the RMA process takes anywhere from a week to 10 days here and that is a long down time). I can temporarily use my old 160 GB drive for the OS but I would rather not.

theonerm2 · Apr 9, 2014

AnEwG :

I know what you mean. Maybe buy a 3.5 inch HDD, put it in an enclosure, partition it for backup files and OS, put the backup files on the backup partition, after you back up your data remove the HDD from the enclosure, and install windows to the OS partition.

AnEwG · Apr 10, 2014

I was able to solve the problem using SeaTools for DOS; I ran the long test and repaired the sectors that were causing the errors. I am still planning to buy a back up HDD in the near future, since this problem have made me realize that I need at least one other HDD to back up my data just in case. Thank you for your help.

theonerm2 · Apr 10, 2014

AnEwG :

Definitely be prepared and have your data backed up. Catastrophic failure can happen in the blink of an eye. And it looks like your hard drive already is starting to fail unfortunately. The same thing happened to a 2TB HDD I had once. Failed just in an instant even though I repaired the drive with seatools for DOS.

AnEwG · Apr 10, 2014

How old was your HDD? I find it hard to believe that a HDD that I have been only using for 6 months is already dying and I certainly hope it is not. My old WD has survived for 8 years of strenuous operation since I used to leave my PC on for days to an end.

theonerm2 · Apr 10, 2014

AnEwG :

It died on me in just a few months. I think it was less than 6 months. Sometimes they're duds.

AnEwG · Apr 10, 2014

I am planning to run the acoustics test the next time I start up my system. I guess with computer hardware sometimes it is the luck of the draw; you can buy a piece of computer hardware that survives for years of strenuous operation and another that dies in a few months of operation. Such a shame, these companies should have better quality control on their products.

theonerm2 · Apr 10, 2014

AnEwG :

Actually I've only ever had just that one hard drive fail on me. I have one hard drive that has lasted since 2003. Of course I don't use it anymore because it's just a 10GB drive.

AnEwG · Apr 10, 2014

Do you have any other Seagate drives?

Current Pending Sector Count/ Uncorrectable sector count warnnings

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